Hey healthy people! How's it going? :) Since I'm sure I won't be writing another post before then, I just want to wish everyone an early Happy Valentine's Day! Can you believe we're almost halfway into the month February already?!? Time sure moves fast! I'm not mad about it, though, Winter is not my favorite season! Not sure how the weather is in your part of the world but here in Mid-West, USA, it's COLD! And I mean windy, snowy, icy kinda' cold! I can't wait until Spring! The way this year is moving, my favorite season will be here before you know it! :)
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"Diet" - a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed;
b : habitual nourishment (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). |
So, let's get to the matter at hand, meaning the subject of the post:
"The Top 7 Diets Explained". Now as you know, I'm not a big fan of using the word "diet", but in this case, it applies. Although the four letter word has come to have a negative condensation in our society, and understandably so with the hundreds of quick-fix, fad diets that exist, the word diet is actually defined as "
a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed; b : habitual nourishment"
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary). All the word simply means is the daily nutrition we feed our bodies - it actually has nothing to do with weight loss! Now there are some diets out there that are good for weight loss but no matter what your diet, the only true way to achieve weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume - point, blank, period.
There are many types of diets out there, some good, some bad, some in between. I personally subscribe to a
Vegetarian Diet, I became a Vegetarian a little over a year ago and love it! I find that it works well for my body and lifestyle. But my way isn't the only way, and as I've stated before here on this blog as well as to anyone who asks, I chose this diet because I felt that it was a healthier way of eating, not for any religious or moral reasons - so no worries, I still have much love for my carnivores out there! :) In this blog post, I want to dig into the current top 7 diets out. If you're in search for a healthier diet, this may just be the information you've been looking for. Or maybe you're just curious. Either way, you're welcome to keep reading! Some of the diets mentioned I personally would classify as fads, meaning they are only popular at the moment and I personally can't see them sticking around, while there are a couple I find could do more harm than good in the long run and don't agree with it. But I'll leave my opinions to myself and let
you decide...
Gluten-Free? Paleo? Vegan?
The Top 7 Diets Explained
The Green Smoothie Diet
Being on this diet means consuming concentrated blends of fruits and
veggies throughout the day and the benefit is that you can get all five
of your daily-recommended servings of fruits and vegetables in just one
of these smoothies. People like this trend because chewing your way
through all that spinach and peppers is too much work, and liquefying
veggies is a surefire way to get it all in. Typically almond or coconut
milk is added for sweetness, so the smoothies are not bitter.
What The Experts Say
The phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables can help you lower your risk
of diseases. This diet claims to boost energy but there is no hard
evidence of that, so experts recommend adding nuts, flax seed or other
seeds for protein and necessary fats. It is not recommended to use these
smoothies as a meal replacement, but rather as a way to get your 5
servings of fruits and vegetables. So fit them in by cutting out other
calories where you can, but do not try to subsist on these smoothies as
you can experience energy loss and nutrient deficiency.
Learn more here.
The Gluten-Free Diet
About 18 million Americans have sensitivity to gluten, a component
found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Those with sensitivity to it can
experience digestive issues and weight gain. The best way to see if
you’re gluten intolerant is to eliminate gluten from your life entirely
for a few weeks and see if bloating, constipation or other digestive
issues go down.
What The Experts Say
No one, other than those diagnosed with celiac disease—a severe reaction to gluten that harms the immune system—need to completely eliminate gluten from their diet. But there’s no harm in the diet, and it’s a great option for those trying to lose weight since gluten foods are usually high in calories, and their substitutes—like quinoa and
potatoes—are not.
Learn more here.
Adding Probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria living in cultured foods like yogurt and kefir, as well as fermented products (think anything pickled like kimchi or sauerkraut). When ingested, they remain in your intestinal tract and work to fortify your immune system. They are usually consumed in capsule or liquid form.
What The Experts Say
If you are healthy overall, probiotics are not essential, but they are a smart supplement to your diet in cold and flu season, and for anyone with digestive issues or high risk of yeast infections. There’s no found harm in consuming daily probiotics.
Learn more here.
Genetic Diet Testing
This trend comes to us from a field called nutrigenomics, which
essentially researches how the foods we eat can alter disease-causing
genes. Genetic diet testing can determine whether you have certain genes
that could be increasing your risk for weight gain. Many companies test
your saliva for certain genes and then recommend a diet for your
genetic “type.” The test is as simple as spitting into a tube and
sending it in for results and recommendations. However it’s pricey at
around $400. If you’re up for it, coaches are available to you to help
you through your new way of eating.
What The Experts Say
The connection between one’s diet and one’s genes is very complex and
this type of testing is not advanced enough to accurately determine if
cutting out or adding some type of food based on your “ genetic type”
will actually affect your weight. Doctors advise that, if you’re
interested in the test and have the money, it could be fun to see your
results. But no matter what your “type” is, the key to losing weight is
simply eating
less of whatever you eat.
Learn more here.
The Paleo Diet
There’s a belief amongst nutrition experts that conditions like type 2
diabetes and obesity arose because our bodies were not built to process
the typical modern day diet, filled with sugar, refined carbs and
processed foods. Their solution: eating like cavemen. Or, essentially, like the first humans ever did, eating
only that which can be hunted or gathered.
Naturally, the diet is heavy
in fish, meats, veggies, fruits, and nuts. Dairy and most grains are
eliminated, since there was no way for our ancestors to have harvested
and obtained these.
What The Experts Say
Essentially the “Paleo” diet is a glorified name for what is otherwise a
well-respected and highly recommended type of diet by almost any
nutritionist. Cutting out refined carbs and sugars is always a sound
plan, and will result in rapid weight loss. But having ice cream or
bread every so often isn’t poisonous to you.
Learn more here.
The Vegan Diet
Vegans run on the principle that nothing that is or comes from an
animal is to be consumed. There are multiple reasons for this,
including environmental: vegan items require significantly less water
and energy to grow; ethical: vegans believe animals should exist without
human interference; and of course health: cutting out animal fats and
proteins has been shown to reduce one’s risk of cancer, diabetes, heart
disease and various other health problems.
What The Experts Say
Getting the recommended daily intake of calcium and vitamin D is
difficult when you eliminate calcium. But vegans can get their fill of
those nutrients by eating plenty of dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale and Brussels
sprouts. There is no evidence that proves density loss is any more
prevalent in vegans than in non-vegans. However, a major concern for
vegans is a Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can carry serious risks such
as early dementia, nerve dysfunction, memory loss and difficulty with
balance. Experts highly encourage vegans to drink beverages fortified
with B12 such as soy and rice beverages.
Learn more here.
The Fruitarian Diet
The Fruitarian diet is like the Vegan diet, on steroids. Fruitarians
consume only fruits and plant related bi-products. Grains are out of the
picture. However nuts, seeds, capsicums and some vegetables can be
eaten.
What The Experts Say
The diet is said to “detoxify the body of its acidic chemical imbalance”
by dislodging stored wastes within the body. The diet can also help
eliminate certain allergies, improve energy, eyesight and concentration,
and strengthen hair and nails. However, Vitamin B12 simply cannot be
found in these foods so those with gastrointestinal diseases or anemia
are warned against this diet. Those that do try the diet are advised to
take a daily Vitamin B12 supplement.
Learn more here.
So that's it! I'm sure you've heard the names of some, if not all, of these diets before and maybe have wondered, "what's the deal?" Well, now ya' know! :)
Until next time my fitness friends...
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